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Feather. Feather variations. Feathers are epidermal growths that form a distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on both avian (bird) and some non-avian dinosaurs and other archosaurs. They are the most complex integumentary structures found in vertebrates [1] [2] and an example of a complex evolutionary novelty. [3]
FEATHER definition: 1. one of the many soft, light things that cover a bird's body, consisting of a long, thin, central…. Learn more.
The meaning of FEATHER is any of the light, horny, epidermal outgrowths that form the external covering of the body of birds. How to use feather in a sentence.
From the fluffy down on a swan chick to the brilliant spiral on a King Bird-of-Paradise tail, feathers are remarkable not just in the way they look to the naked eye, but also for their intricate microstructure. Understanding feather anatomy at the microscopic level provides insight into how feathers function.
Nov 12, 2020 · Body down is the typical down of adult birds. A body down feather grows from a specialized follicle that makes only this type of feather. Then we have powder down. These are pretty interesting feathers. A powder down feather grows continuously throughout a bird’s life and is never molted.
Feathers are the most characteristic and specialized component of the avian integumentary system, vital for flight, thermoregulation, visual communication, and protection from the elements. There are several types of feathers, and their size, shape, colors, and functions vary tremendously across different species.
feather, the component structure of the outer covering and flight surfaces of all modern birds. Unique to birds, feathers apparently evolved from the scales of birds’ reptilian ancestors. The many different types of feathers are variously specialized for insulation, flight, formation of body contours , display, and sensory reception .
An interactive tutorial from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology learn & teach about feathers & bird science. Diagrams, animations, videos & fun quizzes.
Feb 13, 2019 · Updated on February 13, 2019. Feathers are unique to birds. They are a defining characteristic of the group, meaning simply that if an animal has feathers, then it is a bird. Feathers serve many functions in birds but most notable is the critical role feathers play in enabling birds to fly.
Click on a feather type at the right to learn more about feather anatomy and peek at microscopic feather structure.
